Attempt to arrest Thevarapperuma for allegedly insulting the President
Monday, 27 August 2012
The media reports that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had asked the IGP not to take any legal action against criticism or false allegations leveled against is now being proven false.
The CD is working at instituting legal action against UNP Kalutara District parliamentarian Palitha Thevarapperuma and several local government politicians for allegedly criticizing the President.
The CID has summoned Thevarapperuma on August 21st to record a statement over a speech made by him referring to the President at a rally attended by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.
Statements have also been recorded from councilor of the Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha Shantha Priyankara and another person who is a teacher by profession over Thevarapperuma’s speech.
Meanwhile, former member of the Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha, Attorney Anura Priyalal has also been asked to make a statement to the CID. He is being accused of making critical comments against the President at a meeting in Galewela that was attended by Fonseka.
Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana when inquired about Thevarapperuma’s questioning by the CID said there were comments made with hatred in the MP’s speech and that the CID had questioned him about it. The spokesperson added that more information about the statement recorded by the CID could not be revealed since the MP was to be further questioned.
However, the CID investigation into Thevarapperuma’s speech has proven the fallacy behind the news item released by the Presidential Media Unit about the President claiming he was a mature politician and that he would not take legal action for criticizing him.
A human rights activist said the statement was a publicity stunt aimed at the next UNHRC sessions in a few months.
Also, employees including the maid at the Srilankamirror website office were arrested a few months back for allegedly bringing disrepute to the President’s Royal name. The case on the matter is still being heard before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
The human rights activist who spoke to us said that if there was any truth in the so-called statement made by the President, the CID investigations into Thevarapperuma and the case filed against the Srilankamirror employees have to be stopped.
